Four Corners Power Plant changes hinge on coal contract

FARMINGTON – Plans to shutter part of Four Corners Power Plant are on hold pending negotiations of a contract to supply coal to two of the plant’s newer units.

Plant operator Arizona Public Service Co. wants the coal agreement in place before it moves ahead with plans for closing part of the plant and installing millions of dollars of additional pollution controls on the two remaining units.

Spokesman Damon Gross said the Phoenix-based utility needs the certainty that would come from extending the coal contract. The current contract will expire in 2016.

If the hurdles are cleared, Arizona Public Service Co. will complete its purchase of Southern California Edison’s stake in the two units and install the pollution controls.

APS hasn’t released details about when the three older units would be decommissioned.